Guide to choosing allergy-friendly plants for your new home

 

If you've just moved into your new home, adding greenery is a great idea to refresh your space and give it a more natural vibe. However, if anyone in your household suffers from allergies, you need to be mindful in choosing allergy-friendly plants for your new home. Plants are hugely beneficial in various ways, but they can cause more harm than good if you choose the wrong ones. To help you turn your home into a green oasis, we've prepared a guide in which we'll introduce you to plant allergies, allergy-friendly plants, and plants you should avoid.

A little bit about allergies

Sometimes, our immune system has an overreactive response to harmless substances. Those are called allergies. The most common culprits are pollens, certain foods, and dust mites. When someone has allergies, their body identifies certain substances as threats and releases antibodies. This triggers chemical reactions that further cause unpleasant and even dangerous symptoms.

Different allergens can lurk around your new home. So, before the team from evlmoving.com helps you settle into your new home, make sure that it's allergen-free. Thoroughly clean it and remove the dust, especially if the previous occupants had pets. Also, make sure to check if there's any mold or mildew.

Plant allergies

Even though making your home greener is a great idea, you need to carefully select the plants you want to invite into your living space. There are hundreds of plant allergens capable of causing an allergic reaction either by inhalation or contact.

Plant allergies are often called allergic rhinitis or hay fever. Sometimes, it can be tough to determine an exact diagnosis as there could be several allergens causing issues to one individual.

Here are the most common symptoms. In case you notice any, make sure to do an allergy test:

• Sneezing

• Congestion

• Red, itchy, irritated, or watery eyes

• Runny nose

• Tiredness

• Darkness or puffiness under the eyes

Many plants can help relieve allergy symptoms and can, therefore, be a great asset to your new home.

Plants can also ooze liquid that contains allergens which can lead to skin reactions. The most common symptoms include:

• Itching

• Photodermatosis

• Contact dermatitis

• Skin lesions

• Hives

• Eczema

Other allergens to look out for

It's not uncommon for mold and plant allergies to mix. That's because mold can easily grow in the soil of houseplants. If that is the case, it's more likely that mold caused a reaction and not the plant.

For that reason, it's essential to take care of your plants properly and keep them mold-free. Remember that soggy soil is an excellent environment for mold to thrive is, so make sure not to overwater your plants. Also, ensure sufficient ventilation for your indoor plants and expose them to an optimal amount of sunlight.

Allergy-friendly plants for your new home

Now we've come to the fun part - we will introduce you to allergy-friendly plants for your new home. Hopefully, we'll be able to help you pick your new roommates.

However, before you move, don't forget to deal with the ones you already have. Moving with plants is not so difficult when you find the right movers as they'll make sure your green friends are transferred safely.

The Areca Palm

The Areca Palm is a natural humidifier. By increasing the amount of moisture in the air, it can improve allergy symptoms such as nasal congestion and irritation.

In the NASA clean air study, it was named as one of the best purifiers. It's one of the most useful house plants as it can remove carbon monoxide, formaldehyde, toluene, and xylene from the air. It's all due to its big leaves, which trap allergens and filter toxins from their surroundings.

Heartleaf Philodendron

This plant is ideal for allergy sufferers as it improves indoor air quality. During photosynthesis, the Heartleaf Philodendron removes a large number of harmful gases from the air. It's also low-maintenance and very easy to grow.

Heartleaf Philodendron or Sweetheart Plant is a very popular indoor plant due to being very low-maintenance.

Dracaena

One of the most effective plants for tackling allergens is Dracaena. It can absorb carbon monoxide and remove gases such as benzene, formaldehyde, and trichloroethylene from indoor air. Its leaves are also very good at trapping allergens.

One of the best varieties for allergy sufferers is Dracaena Reflexa. It has the best air cleaning ability out of all the Dracaena plants.

English Ivy

With its lovely pear-shaped leaves, English Ivy is one of the most beautiful plants to have in your new home. However, it doesn't just look good; it can also improve allergy symptoms by reducing airborne mold spores and clearing the air of irritants.

English Ivy is toxic to humans and animals, so make sure to find a suitable location for it in your new home

Keep in mind that this plant is toxic both to humans and animals. If you have kids or pets, keeping it out of their reach is imperative. Either put it on a high shelf or somewhere out of reach in your balcony garden.

What plants to avoid?

No matter how gorgeous they look, some plants that don't belong at home. Here are the plants you should avoid as they are known to cause allergic reactions.

• Chrysanthemums - Members of the aster family can produce a lot of pollen and cause bad allergic reactions.

• Lilies - Not only do they produce a lot of pollen, but they also have an intense aroma that could trigger irritant rhinitis.

• Sunflowers - As the sunflower continues to mature, the flowers release more pollen.

• African violets - As they have high pollen loads, they can trigger sneezing, runny noses, and watery eyes. They also have leaves with tiny hairs, which can collect a lot of dust.

• Weeping fig - Although it's beautiful and easy to grow, it's one of the worst plants for allergy sufferers, especially those with latex sensitivity.

Allergy-friendly plants for your new home: conclusion

We hope we were able to inspire you to choose allergy-friendly plants for your new home. Even if you don't suffer from allergies, choosing the right plants is essential to avoid any potential reactions.

Read this also :

Veteran-owned moving  companies

Photos used:

https://unsplash.com/photos/S7viz8JWxwY

https://www.pexels.com/photo/woman-suffering-from-her-allergy-6865169/

https://www.pexels.com/photo/summer-garden-leaf-tree-9935764/

https://unsplash.com/photos/g01-QahabWk

How to Design Your Condo with Modern Furniture

Summary: With increasing demands on our time and living space, designing a condo with modern furniture can be difficult. Learn how to identify your style and taste along with your budget to decorate your condominium in the best way possible.

Do you need advice on how to best search for the best modern condo furniture in Toronto? Well, you have arrived at the right place. Here, you will get all the latest information, including bedroom furniture, and a simple guide to decorating your condo from scratch. 

 

 

Whether you are new to furnishing a condo or experienced, searching for furniture for small spaces can be difficult. And if you’re planning to experiment with your interior’s styling to fit your modern and sleek furniture into a smaller space, the task becomes even more of a challenge. 

With increasingly small spaces, especially in large cities, learning how to design and decorate a condo with modern furniture is even more essential. And even if you are looking for the best bedroom furniture in Toronto, here you will get information about that as well. 

 

How To Design Your Condo in a Modern Way from Scratch

Are you into minimalism style-wise, or do you prefer a bohemian vibe? Planning and designing your interiors are never easy. Indeed, it requires a lot of patience. But you don’t need to panic. Instead, keep reading to discover how it’s done.

 

1. Identify your style

First, start by taking measurements to confirm if your chosen furniture will fit. Keep this scale in mind. 

Now...

Decorating a space from scratch holds many possibilities, but can feel overwhelming as well. Whether looking for bedroom furniture in Toronto or modern condo furniture, you must identify your style and taste so that you can plan accordingly. Initially, it may seem challenging to achieve this vibe, but you will find the answer once you learn how to strategize. Before you start your furniture search, here is a list of trending interior design styles that you can swear by: 

1. Modern 

2. Contemporary 

3. Mid-century 

4. Art modern 

5. Minimalist 

6. Scandinavian 

7. Eclectic 

8. Shabby chic 

If you want to know more to identify your style preference, click here. 

 

2.       Concentrate on the focal point

After understanding your design style, you have to decide on your condo’s focal point. Does it have a gorgeous antique fireplace or a royal blue sofa that’s stealing attention? Or do you want to have a patterned feature wall that reflects your style? Deciding on a home’s centrepiece is essential in smaller spaces like an open-concept condo. You can see it from multiple areas and it will impact everything from the colour scheme you choose to the overall furniture layout. 

 

3.       Design the space in smaller sections

The idea that “less is more” also applies to modern condo furniture. Instead of going extravagant, look for smaller, more efficient pieces to give your condo a larger feel. You can start by considering each portion of your apartment, like the entrance, living room, kitchen, and bedroom, and listing the major pieces you’ll need for each. While searching for bedroom furniture in Toronto, plan strategically so you don’t have to compromise your comfort for space. 

Plan for other sections as well. For example, instead of having a dining room table, you can use modern bar stools at a kitchen counter. This is not only trendy but will also save you a lot of space. Or, instead of a giant sofa, you can use various comfortable chairs. These are easily portable and will help you to create a unique look. 

 

4. Plan the final look

Now it’s time for execution. Avoid over-stuffing. Think about the purpose of the furniture; this will help you cut the guesswork once you are done with the final planning and placed your furniture orders. Now it is time to bring the look together. 

 

Designing your condo’s look is a gradual process that demands more attention than just randomly ordering furniture. Therefore, your priority should be to stick with the essentials first; then add in other pieces later on. Be true to your style, be authentic, and strategize beforehand to decorate your condo with modern furniture.  

 

How to Use Current Curtain & Drapery Trends for Your Home Office

Summary: Do you want the best curtains and drapes for your home office? To get an idea about how to decorate this important space, look at current window treatments. In this post, you will learn how popular design trends enhance the beauty of your home office.

Do you have a home office setup? Then why not find drapes and curtains that complement it? They should also be practical as most work-from-home setups are in the kitchen, living room, or bedroom.

To create a workspace that is a little different from other parts of your home, like your living room or bedroom, take a look at current curtain and drapery trends. This can give you some idea of how to choose drapes and curtains for your home office space. Employ a design that helps you concentrate and makes you more productive.

Let’s look into some ideas on how to incorporate recent drapery and curtain trends into your home office. 

Ideas for Drapes and Curtains for Your Home Office

Here are some home office curtain and drapery ideas

1. Modern Design

Have you transformed an unused space into a makeshift office? Consider placing a small desk in front of a window and use an airy linen curtain to make it a focal point of the room. If you do not like sunlight when you work, add a layer of cotton or silk drapery to the curtain.

Drapes and curtains in saturated tones such as browns, blues, and greens are trending as they look great with pastel, beige, or sand-coloured wallpaper. They also offer a refreshing effect to the room.

Prints from the ’80s are still popular such as florals, futuristic drawings, and geometric patterns. But that does mean natural prints such as animal and plant images are any less relevant.

2. Minimalistic Design 

Create a minimalistic design in your home office with wave pleat curtains as they look simple yet elegant. These are most suited to large windows. If you appreciate window coverings with a clean line then look no further than this option.

If you are using your bedroom as your office space, it is best to use gathered drapes to separate both spaces. By using a rod, the process of installing drapes becomes easy and there is no need to compromise on privacy. 

A blackout curtain is also a great option as it blocks out light completely and gives you privacy. In addition, it separates the home office from other spaces, whether it is your bedroom or living room.

3. Luxurious Design 

Want your home office to have a luxurious finish? Choose balloon drapes in pastel colours as this is a classic option and looks great in a spacious room such as the bedroom or living room.  

Goblet pleat curtains create a similar effect to a wine glass with their design. They are ideal for a home office space with a high ceiling. If there is a separate space like a study at your disposal, pick this option.

4. Oriental Design

Curtains and drapes with pelmets and multi-level cascades are good options for creating Asian-inspired designs in your home office. Intricate window coverings with intricate patterns and calligraphic ornaments that are complemented by fringes and tassels deliver a royal look.

5. Customized Design     

The current drapery trend of choosing a customized option for your home office means you can consult with the experts before choosing fabrics such as linen, cotton, or velvet and hardware such as drapery rods and wall brackets. As a result, your office space will look great.

There are a variety of current drapery and curtain trends to make your home office an attractive space. Which is best for yours? If you’re not sure, talk to a design professional and get a customized curtain and drapery option.

Turning your nursery into a toddler room

 

Time flies when you're having fun. This is especially true throughout your child's early years. You are counting down the days until you finally get to see them, and the next thing you know, your child is a crib escape artist who wants to explore the world around it. It might be tough to determine when the right moment to devote your attention to turning your nursery into a toddler room is. You, as a parent, should be the one deciding. So, if you've decided to give your child a toddler room and a bit of independence, make sure to make it a fun and colorful space. This transition will be a fantastic experience for you and your growing toddler, and we are here to help with some advice.

Encourage a shift from a crib to a toddler bed 

Moving from a crib to a toddler bed is one of the most crucial milestones your kid will go through during this stage. Of course, the decision should be made depending on whether your child is ready for it or not. By a certain age, many youngsters begin to escape their cribs and go on adventures exploring every part of their nursery room. If this is the case, it might be the perfect time to get a toddler bed for your little one.

The toddler bed you choose should be large enough to last a few years while still being safe for your child. Many toddler beds come with a toddler rail to keep your kid safe as they explore the world outside of their bed. If you're planning a relocation, you'll need to make a decision. You could skip out on buying a toddler bed until you're situated or prepare proper transportation for it. Be sure to choose a reliable mover if you choose the latter. According to Simplify Valet Storage & Moving, many accidents happen when people try to transfer bulky furniture pieces themselves. So, to avoid damage to your precious items and sleep well knowing your child is safe and comfortable in their new little toddler room, make sure to hire reliable moving experts.

Your child will have a lot of fun enjoying their new toddler bed

Consider the difference between nursery furniture and toddler furniture

The crib is not the only piece of furniture you might consider replacing. Depending on your current situation, you might not even need a changing table anymore! Many potty-trained children still do have an accident here and there, but you will not need a bulky piece of furniture for that. However, you might've chosen a piece of furniture that can be versatile, such as a dresser. A dresser can go from being a changing table to a proper storage space for your children's toys or clothes.

Look around the nursery and decide which furniture items your toddler's overgrown and which items it needs. You might decide they need a bookshelf for all of their new books. In some cases, you might decide you need storage solutions other than a closet. Additionally, you might need to give them a comfortable area to sit, draw and express their creativity. This is a crucial step in turning your nursery into a toddler room.

Declutter old, unneeded items

Another essential thing you should consider is decluttering old and unneeded items. From old toys to books and baby clothes, there are many items you might choose to put away, sell or give away. In a lot of cases, parents opt to store items for various reasons. You might wish to be ready if you expand your family or you want to have memorabilia your children will look back on.

Some of these items, such as baby clothes, require extra attention before storing them. Be sure to find a proper way to protect the items, and enlist help from others if there is a considerable amount of them. If you choose to sell, utilize many of the excellent online sources at your disposal. And, of course, gift your special items to families that will surely need them.

Do not shy away from asking for help if you need it when packing all the unneeded items

Focus on deep cleaning your toddler room 

When left alone for more than 5 minutes, the mess children can make is astounding for any new parent. This mess can also be quite overwhelming. This is why it is crucial to deep clean your toddler room. By doing so, you will start off on the right foot, and your toddler will have a brand new space to enjoy their days in.

Start by gathering all the necessary cleaning supplies as well as your patience. Start small by putting everything in its place and then wash the bedding, sheets, and duvets. Next, you will want to vacuum and mop the floors thoroughly. Make sure to clean behind furniture as well. Wash the windows as well while you're at it. Once you are done with these steps, you can dust everything that needs dusting and disinfect. Of course, your children will still make a mess of the room even after all of your efforts to make it clean. Thus, you must try and enforce some cleaning habits your child can manage. Putting away toys and making the bed are simple things your toddlers should learn how to do. By teaching them this, you will help yourself in the long run.

It would be best if you started incorporating specific cleaning tasks into your child's everyday life early.

Get new items appropriate for your toddler

Once you have finished cleaning, you might feel like the job is still not done. The toddler room might feel empty or unfinished. If this is the case, do not fret. Getting new items that are appropriate for your toddler can be the key to setting up the perfect toddler room you envisioned. 

Enlist the help of your child while redecorating the room. They might have some opinions about how they want their room to look like. Show their personality in the decor you choose to bring in. New toys that will aid in your child's development are also a good idea. Exchange simple books with books suited for your toddler's abilities. Encourage skill learning as much as possible at this early stage in their lives. If you wish to make your child more independent, you could also move the toys from other rooms into theirs. This way, they can have independent playtime. Lastly, be sure to get a height chart where you can track how fast your little one is growing.

Turning your nursery into a toddler room made easy 

As you can see, turning your nursery into a toddler room can be a relatively quickly and simple process. The key is to know what you need and everything else will simply fall into its place.

Photos used:

https://www.pexels.com/photo/girl-playing-inside-her-room-3933025/

https://www.pexels.com/photo/girl-in-red-dress-sitting-on-bed-reading-book-3661473/

https://www.pexels.com/photo/couple-carrying-cardboard-boxes-in-living-room-4506270/

https://www.pexels.com/photo/industrious-young-girl-cleaning-the-dishes-5990716/